A few rangers have attended this training camp.
David Quinn is back in New York, now as an assistant coach alongside Mike Sullivan.
It’s been just four years since Quinn departed from his role behind the Rangers bench.
After joining Sullivan’s staff in Pittsburgh last season, the new coach in New York, who once played alongside Quinn at Boston University, invited him to help with the Rangers as well.
“Kny is a really good coach,” Sullivan remarked early in training camp. “That’s one of the reasons I asked him to join Pittsburgh. We’ve known each other for a long time and have discussed hockey for years. I see him as a student of the game, whether he’s working with veterans or younger players across the lineup.
“He’s a solid teacher, and his energy is infectious. His passion for hockey is evident. I’m really pleased with our coaching staff. There’s important chemistry among us—much like teammates. We enjoy being together.”
Quinn and Sullivan played together at BU for two seasons, from 1986 to 1988, with Joe Sacco joining them in the 1987-88 season.
Now at 59, Quinn served as co-captain during that period.
Along with his role with Sullivan in Pittsburgh, Quinn has been named an assistant coach for Team USA, preparing for the Olympics in Milan next February.
Quinn, responsible for power plays and defense in Pittsburgh, performed well in his role. Collaborating with a power play that had ranked 22nd in the NHL for the 2023-24 season, he helped elevate it to sixth in the league last season, achieving a success rate of 25.8%. In New York, he’ll maintain those duties, while Sacco will lead the penalty kill and forward groups.
Ty Hennes is anticipated to take on a variety of responsibilities, including skills development and analytics tracking on the bench.
Several rangers thrived during Quinn’s earlier tenure, which ended shortly after major changes in 2021 when General Manager Jeff Gorton and President John Davidson were let go.
During the 2019-20 season, Artemi Panarin gathered 95 points, marking his best year at that stage, while also finishing third in the Heart Trophy voting. Mika Zibanejad scored 41 goals that same season, a personal high, and Ryan Strome recorded his most productive campaign with 59 points.
Defenseman Adam Fox secured the Norris Trophy in his second season under Quinn in 2020-21.
While the connection to Boston University runs deep, Sullivan noted that it wasn’t the only factor in assembling his coaching staff.
“These guys really understand the game,” he said. “Watching Joe Sacco and the journey he’s taken, having been a head coach twice and spending years as a solid assistant in Boston, shows his evolution as a coach. I appreciate the energy around this group. They’re passionate about their roles, and it’s a contagious enthusiasm.”
